The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) said the unscrupulous traders are responsible for increasing the potato prices. They (unscrupulous traders) have stocked 60% potatoes in cold storage.
FBCCI representatives came up with complain at a view exchange meeting with wholesalers, retailers among others at the head office of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate (DNCRP) in Dhaka on Tuesday.
FBCCI director Sirajul Islam said in the meeting, unscrupulous traders have stockpiled potatoes in large quantities resulted in increase the price of potatoes by creating an artificial crisis in the market.
The hoarders have already been directed to take steps to sell potatoes through three notices.
“Should the sale not be organised, we will take it upon ourselves to facilitate the sale of potatoes starting from October. I think unscrupulous traders are creating supply problems by hoarding potatoes and creating an artificial crisis. In this situation, they have to be forced to buy and sell potatoes through final receipts,” he added.
He also said that this year the potatoes came out of cold storage a few days ago. We still have about 60 per cent potatoes in our cold storage. It contains about 15 per cent of seed potatoes.
The meeting was presided over by the Director General of DNCRP A.H.M. Safikuzzaman. He said the price of imported goods has increased due to the dollar crisis, but I do not think there is any justification for the increase in the prices.
